Sand Dance, Microsoft Garage a simple and powerful tool for data visualization

Microsoft Garage has recently presented SunDance, a tool dedicated to the display and analysis of data that will appeal not only to users of data science experts, but also to whom it is not and does not have specific knowledge in the field of programming. SandDance is primarily a web based tool that provides the user with a simple and controllable via touch.

Users can upload their data into the tool (are supported .txt, .csv and .json) and collaborate with other users in the same document. The strength of SandDance, compared to other similar tools, it is inherent in the ability to organize data with multiple criteria, the possibility to offer different representations of the same group of data and to extract individual data, without losing sight at the same time, viewing the entire database.

Eloquent in this regard is the description given by Steve Drucker, one of the main researchers involved in the project, using a sufficient clear metaphor to describe the relationship between the entire database and the individual elements that make it up:

We have the idea that many views summarize the data, and this synthesis is important, but in time it also needs of the individual elements of the data. we do not want to lose sight of the trees because of the forest, but we want to see the forest and the overall shape of the data. With this (instrument) will display information about the contact details and how they are related to each other. Most instruments show a thing or another. With SandDance it is the data coming from different angles can be observed.

SandDance is currently available as a web-based tool, but can also be used by users Bi Power, the instrument for dynamic display of the Microsoft data. To clarify that this is a research project run by Microsoft Garage, a division of the Redmond who is responsible for developing innovative projects which will not necessarily large-scale application.

Waiting to know the evolution of the project, you can appreciate the potential connecting to this address. Even those who do not have a data base that is ready for upload can begin interacting with the interface by starting one of the preloaded demo. The only condition to access features of SandDance concerns the need to use a web browser can manage the library WebGL graphics (supported Internet Explorer 10, Edge, Chrome, Safari and Firefox). Of course a graphics card recently created is recommended to better manage the effects and transitions that emphasize the transition between the different display modes.